The Essential Equipment | Yoga Mats
When you first start practicing Yoga, it's hard to know what you really need to buy. The yoga industry continues to develop so much clothing and equipment that you might feel you need to spend hundreds of dollars before ever stepping foot in a studio.
The good news is that you actually need very little to get started – just a really good Eco Yoga Mat. That said, if you're starting a home practice, or you’d feel better purchasing yoga specific apparel and equipment prior to your first yoga class, here is what you need to know.
Yoga Mat
In gyms and yoga studios, it’s commonplace to use a yoga mat, also called a sticky mat. The mat helps define your personal space, and, more importantly, it creates traction for your hands and feet, so you don’t slip, especially as you get a little sweaty. The mat also provides a bit of cushioning on a hard floor.
Most gyms provide mats and studios have them for rent, usually for a dollar or two per class. This is fine for your first few classes, but the disadvantage to these mats is that lots of people use them and you can't be sure how often they're being cleaned, so you may consider buying your own.
So Yoga mat is essential equipment you need.
Let’s be honest:
You don’t want other people’s “sweat” on you.
Yoga mats can get pretty “Wear Out”/ “Smelly” / “Moldy”…. the hygiene also plays a part.
As yoga practitioners, you may buy by different type of yoga mat but the most important is that you can practice with your own mat at home or anywhere you want.
A good yoga mat makes all the difference for your yoga practice.
A mat that for example is not grip enough, or does not provide enough support will certainly distract during your yoga practice.
Traditionally, yoga is practiced on cotton woven mats, grass mats….. With the rise of the use of plastics and rubber and with the spread of yoga in the west, yoga mat was born and has been constantly developed so that there is now a huge variety of yoga mats in all kinds of different materials, thicknesses, shapes and wear-resistance. The main goal is still the same: provide a comfortable / clean surface with enough grip to support your practice.
So, having your own real good yoga mat and start your yoga practice.